Feb. 21, 2024

Jew and Gentile are one body in Christ.

Ephesians 1:15-22: Paul heard of the Ephesians’ faith.

They were rich in mercy. They are in Christ.

We are saved by grace. We are to walk by faith.

He raised us up by the same power that He used when He raised Jesus from the dead.

Paul talks about the church. We were without hope but have been brought near. God made Jews and Gentiles one body. 

(Ephesians 2, ¹¹ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands).

(Ephesians 3: For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, ² If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: ³ How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, ⁴ Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) ⁵ Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; ⁶ That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: ⁷ Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. ⁸ Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; ⁹ And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: ¹⁰ To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, ¹¹ According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: ¹² In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. ¹³ Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. ¹⁴ For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; ¹⁷ That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; ¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. ²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen).

Paul was under house arrest. For this cause refers to Ephesians 2:1-22. (Ephesians 3: For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles).

It was not made known to the past prophets that Gentiles are fellowheirs. (Ephesians 3, ³ How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery).Paul was on house arrest and viewed his circumstances joyfully. He had a mission field in prison. (1 Thessalonians 5, ¹⁶ Rejoice evermore. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you).

Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We were bought with a price. (1 Corinthians 6, ²⁰ For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's).

Workmanship: masterpiece. (Ephesians 2, ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them).

God is always in control. 

Paul was an ambassador for Christ. (Ephesians 6, ²⁰ For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak).

Count it all joy in trials. (James 1, ² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations).

Paul had a thorn in his flesh. (2 Corinthians 12, And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure).